Blind Melon
In recent
years, the tale of Blind Melon has taken a dramatic turn - from an abrupt and
tragic end, to a rebirth and reconnection with their legions of dedicated fans.
No matter how you slice it, the group was responsible for some of the most
memorable and pure- sounding rock music of the '90s, and with their reformation
in 2007 with singer Travis Warren, Blind Melon have picked up with their fans,
exactly where they left off. Blind Melon originally formed in 1990 in Los
Angeles, California, when five transplants from other states crossed paths -
singer Shannon Hoon (from Indiana), guitarist Christopher Thorn (from
Pennsylvania), and guitarist Rogers Stevens, bassist Brad Smith, and drummer
Glen Graham (all from Mississippi). With a buzz created around the band shortly
thereafter due to Hoon's appearance on Guns N' Roses' 1991 release, 'Use Your
Illusion' (and specifically, the hit single/video, "Don't Cry"), a recording
contract soon followed with Capitol Records. The group's now-classic
self-titled debut followed in 1992.
The album saw the group fit in
perfectly with the then-burgeoning alt rock/grunge movement, due to their
stripped-down, rootsy sound, as evidenced by such standouts as "Tones of Home"
and "Change." But it was the song "No Rain" that became a smash on radio and
MTV a year later, and Blind Melon became one of rock's feel-good 'overnight
success stories.' As the album scaled the charts, plum opening gigs piled up
over the next year - Guns N' Roses, Neil Young, Lenny Kravitz, and the Rolling
Stones, as well as an unforgettable appearance at Woodstock '94. Despite high
expectations, the group's sophomore release, 1995's 'Soup,' was panned by
critics upon release. Over the years however, the album has rightfully become
recognized as one of the decade's most underrated rock gems, spawning such
standouts as "Galaxie," "Toes Across the Floor," and "Mouthful of Cavities."
Barely over two months after the album's release, Hoon died while on tour from
a drug overdose, at the age of 28. The four surviving members regrouped and
issued an outtakes collection, 1996's 'Nico' (named after Hoon's then- baby
daughter, and spawning such further Melon classics as "Soup" and "Soul One"),
as well as the Grammy nominated home video, 'Letters from a Porcupine.' An attempt
to find a replacement for Hoon was abandoned, and in 1999, the group officially
went their separate ways. Smith and Thorn subsequently formed a short-lived
group, Unified Theory, featuring Dave Krusen of Pearl Jam and Chris Shinn of
Live, as well as opening up their own recording studio (Wishbone), and becoming
much-in-demand producers, working with such artists as Anna Nalick, Critter
Jones and Under the Influence of Giants. Thorn also played in Live and Awol
Nation and Smith has released two full length solo records under the moniker
"Abandon Jalopy".
Stevens, having moved to New York,
appeared in a pair of groups, Extra Virgin and Tender Trio, while Graham, who
also settled back east, outside of Chapel Hill, North Carolina, played with
Jimbo Mathus and his Knocked Down Society, Joe Tullos, and The Harmony Four in
addition to founding The Meek and The Jakeleg. Also during these intervening
years, interest in Blind Melon continued to grow further, due to the emergence
of the jam band scene - which many feel the group helped create -while such
compilations as 2002's 'Classic Masters' and 2005's 'Tones of Home: The Best
of,' as well as 2005's 'Live at the Palace' CD and 'Live at the Metro' DVD,
racked up impressive sales. Add to it an ever-growing Blind Melon online
community of fans, and
it was clear that there was still
an unmistakable demand for the band. It was precisely around this time that
Smith and Thorn were asked to produce a few tracks for Texas- based
singer/songwriter, Warren - who also happened to be a die-hard Blind Melon fan.
Working with Warren on his demo, Smith jokingly said to Thorn that Warren
"could sing Blind Melon songs in his sleep." The idea was born. The four
remaining members - who hadn't been in the same room in years - came together
to be reacquainted with each other, and to meet with Warren. Soon after, it had
become apparent that they had finally located Blind Melon's new singer. With
Stevens and Graham reclaiming their spots as well, Blind Melon was back in
business. Setting up shop at Wishbone, the reformed band spent most of 2007
writing and recording. But before issuing a new album, the group decided to
introduce their newest member via a highly successful and completely sold out
club tour in late 2007. If the strong response from fans at these shows is any
indication, the group's upcoming shows and forthcoming new music will continue
to spread the word even further.
After a short
hiatus in 2009, Blind Melon has again returned to the stage playing cities all
over the globe including North America, South America, Europe, Asia and more.
The band continues to play a handful of special shows each year, looking
forward to what the future will bring.
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- http://www.blindmelon.com/